China would assist Pakistan in selecting and training astronauts and the chosen candidates would then travel to China for further training, the China Manned Space Engineering Office said on Friday after the signing of a cooperation agreement in Islamabad.
Later, one or more of them will join a Chinese crew for a short-term mission aboard Tiangong.
“Since the inception of China’s manned space programme, we have upheld the principles of peaceful use, mutual benefit, and shared development, offering cooperation opportunities to the global community,” the office said, adding that it hoped more developing countries would be inspired to explore space.
He added this could help solidify these relationships with Beijing and bolster China’s influence in countries where American influence had been diminished.
